Saudi Gazette JEDDAH – "If there is a comparison between Pakistani and Indian ghazal, Pakistani ghazal outshines the Indian ghazal. During the last 4 decades Pakistan has produced best ghazal poets. Pakistan has produced renowned poets over the years but the concept of Mushaira (poetry symposium) is not prevalent in Pakistan as much as it is in India," said celebrated Pakistani poet Tariq Sabzwari in an interview to Saudi Gazette. A qualified civil engineer and a banker by profession, Muhammad Tariq Sabzwari, is famous for his unique style of reciting "ghazal''. He was in the Kingdom to participate in a Mushaira. His family has a number of poets and literary figures. Originally from Badayun, India, he and his family migrated to Pakistan in 1978. Tariq Sabzwari has published his collection of poetry "Dhoop Dareeche", that was well-received in the literary circles. Sabzwari, on his success in the field of poetry, said, "I began my poetic career during my education in Aligarh Muslim University, in my first encounter with my fellow students, in an All India Mushaira in our university. I was hooted and I got nervous. Kunwar Mahendra Singh Bedi, the legendary compere of Mushairas, took the microphone from me and convinced the students that if they continued to hoot one of the budding poetic talents in the form of Tariq Sabzwari, they wouldn't only lose a promising poet but also do harm to the reputation of their cradle of education, which was famous for giving birth to many famous and great personalities in the field of education, poetry, literature and science. Bedi's logic outwitted the jeering crowd. They kept quiet. I recited three ghazals one after another and was able to win the hearts of the audience. After this litmus test, I never looked back.". "Those days, famous Mushaira poets and comperes were large-hearted. Bedi Saheb was a stalwart in the realm of Mushairas. He was able to take any poet to new heights with his skillful handling. He introduced me to the organizers of All India Mushairas and even film directors like Kamal Amrohvi. I participated in Mushairas in every nook and corner of India. Once I visited a place in South India, where the people didn't know the meaning of Mushaira. The crowd in the festival, in which Mushaira was organized, seeing the big stage, thought that it was a music program. But once they joined the sublime and heart-warming atmosphere of Mushaira, they clapped incessantly. Mushaira actually brings people of all religions and status together," he added. "My family migrated to Pakistan during my peak days in the Indian Mushairas. I began my career in Pakistan as a poet, who recited his ghazal in tarannum (with melody). In the beginning, to some extent, I was treated like a pariah, because almost all the poets, except Pirzadah Qasim, recited their ghazal in tahtallafz (simple recitation without melody). But after some time I was not only accepted by poets, organizers and audience but also became a known figure in Pakistani Mushairas. When the ghazal is recited with Tarannum (melody), it stirs more emotions. Various ghazal maestros Jigar Moradabadi and Khumar Barabankawi, are still remembered for their melodious voice and poetry," he said. "I have participated in Mushairas in America, Europe and Gulf states too. In India, Mushaira has become a great industry; it is a major literary, cultural festival, which connects the common man with the poets," he said. The main features of Tariq Sabzwari's poetry are love, dreams, element of pathos and the pains of separation and migration. Some examples of his couplets: Na ho udas wo tujh se agar nahi milta; Yehan kisi se koi umr bhar nahin milta; Hawa-e-shahr bata tujh ko to khabar hogi; Bahut dinon se mujhe apna ghar nahin milta; Her ek mode pa milte hain saikdon chehre; Main dhoondta hoon jise wo magar nahi milta; Likha hua hai bhatakna mere naseebon men; Wo rahrau hun jise rahber nahin milta; Main wo musafire aashuftahal hoon Tariq; Jo ghar pahunch ke bhi kahta hai ghar nahi milta. Mujh se mumkin nahi aisi koi tahrir likhoon; Aankh ko qaid likhoon, paaon ko zanjeer likhoon; Haan yeh tapta hua sooraj, yeh pighalte hue log; Mujh se kahte hain ke main dhoop ki taseer likhoon; Main ne kal khwab men ek phool ke lub choomen hain; Ho ijazat to main is khwab ki ta'beer likhoon. Silsila khwab ka aankhon se juda rahne de; Is jazeere ko samundar se mila rahne de; Tere chehre pa khila hai jo yeh khushrang gulab; Mere kaandhe pa bhi kuchh der saja rahne de; Shayed aa jaaye wo darwesh e duago Tariq; Ghar ke darwaze ko kuchh der khula rahne de.
